



Vientiane to Luang Prabang Explorer
(11 days / 10 nights)
Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Nam Ming River – Highlands – Elephant Camp – Luang Prabang
Highlights
-
Sightseeing the capital, Vientiane
-
Caving + kayaking in Vang Vieng
-
3 day jungle trek + village home stay off the beaten track
-
Stay in a unique Elephant Lodge
-
Ride an elephant through conservation area
-
UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang
PRE + POST TOUR HOTEL SPECIAL: Extend your tour and pay only AUD$110 per person/twin share for one night before the tour in Vientiane + one night after the tour in Luang Prabang.
Overview
For the ultimate Laos adventure holiday, travel overland from the capital, Vientiane to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. This trip is jam-packed with active travel, culture and awesome scenery that is off the tourist trail. You trek mountainous regions, kayak amid stunningly beautiful lime stone karsts, explore spectacular caves and overnight in remote hill tribe villages for an authentic cultural experience. To complete your journey, you ride an elephant into the jungle to Tad Sae Waterfalls. Over 11 days you discover Laos is an adventure destination not to be missed!
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Arrive Vientiane |
|
Day 2 |
Vientiane |
|
Day 3 |
Vientiane to Vang Vieng |
|
Day 4 |
|
|
Day 5 |
Vang Vieng to remote mountain country |
|
Day 6 |
Trek to Ming River |
|
Day 7 |
Trek to village home stay |
|
Day 8 |
Trek to village home stay Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Home stay |
|
Day 9 |
Trek to Elephant Village |
|
Day 10 |
Ride the elephants, waterfall + Luang Prabang |
|
Day 11 |
Depart Luang Prabang |
Please Note: This trip can also travel in reverse departing from Luang Prabang and finishing in Vientiane. A minimum of two people is required to operate this trip.
Includes:
- Hotel + guesthouse accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Jungle camp + village home stays
Airport/hotel transfers in Vientiane and Luang Prabang - All transportation as per itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Support crew for activities
- Entrance fees + village permission
- All activities and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Kayaks
- Luggage transfer during your trek
- All meals as per the itinerary
- Water for the trek
Excludes:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
5 to 6 people |
1089 |
3 to 4 people |
1399 |
2 people |
1739 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
A minimum of two is required for the tour to operate. Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur an additional 3% charge. Prices beyond the validity are available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details.
Email us or call 1300 43 10 69 for bookings and more information.
Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
Trip notes
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must send your passport details and your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to your departure. If you departure date is less than 50 days then full payment is required now. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full you will receive a tour voucher and detailed itinerary.
Hotels + guesthouses
In towns and cities you stay in standard hotels or guesthouses with private facilities. Hotels are centrally located to tourist attractions and restaurants.
Home stays
There is no better way to immerse in local culture than experiencing a village home stay. Not only is this a wonderful cultural exchange, it offers the visitor great respect for how people live without all the comforts and appliances of the West. By staying with a family we ensure that the economic benefits of our travel filter down to the villages and families that most need it. The jungle lodge and home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You sleep in a dormitory style room and are provided with a mosquito net, mattress, clean sheet and pillow. Amenities are shared with the host family. Toilets are squat, non-flushing as you will find in many parts of South East Asia. Showers are not provided, but hot water may be available on request. Or do what the locals do and wash in the river or at the village water pump!
Elephant Village + Lodge
Situated on the Khan River, the Elephant Village was established in 2003 and aims to protect the Asian Elephant. Located on the opposite bank of the River is the Elephant Lodge which forms part of the Lao Spirit Resort, Laos’ first eco tourism accommodation. This 100 year old Lao farm house was relocated and beautifully restored to provide five apartment rooms. It is quite special to relax at sunset on your own private terrace with views to the mountains, the elephants and the river.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, you are offered what produce is in season, but there will always be plenty of ‘sticky rice’ – a staple food in Laos. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
The trekking day
A typical trekking day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you will have plenty of breaks for rests, snacks and photographs.
Kayaks
Kayaks are sturdy and can fit two people. You will be equipped with helmets, life jacket and paddles. The rivers in Laos vary from challenging rapids and fast flowing sections to calm sections of water. Your guide will brief you on what to expect and will ensure you raft sections that are suited to your level of ability. In the wet season (May to September) water can flow up to four times faster than normal.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides are proud of their job and consider it an honour to show you their country. They have been fully trained in guiding outdoor tours around Laos. If you feel your guide provided you with great service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Laos.
What to bring
We suggest using a sports bag or backpack for your overnight luggage – maximum weight of 15kg. This bag will be transported by support vehicle while you are trekking and exploring the highlands. You will carry your own daypack for daily activities. Please pack lightly – 10kg, as you will have to carry your own luggage for three days while trekking. We recommend using a sturdy daypack with good back support and a waterproof cover. Carry your important documents and personal items with you at all times – an all weather money belt is ideal. Please dress conservatively in the countryside and villages and when entering temple areas.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes, thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for after walking all day, light weight, quick dry long pants + shorts, shirt + t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, bathers, sarong (for women to swim in), small towel, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, strong insect repellent (Deet medicated preferred), small medical kit, flashlight, essential toiletries, water bottle, camera, spare batteries, pen + paper, original passport, barley sugar/ lollies for sustenance, zip lock bags, toilet paper and personal medication and a light weight sleeping bag.
Note: A full list is provided with your trip dossier.
If you have room in your backpack, bring some books to give away as gifts. You can help local children improve their reading skills by buying picture books printed in their own language. For more information on this worthwhile project, visit Big Brother Mouse Project.
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Laos visa
Most visitors can receive a 30 day single entry Tourist Visa on arrival at Luang Prabang or Vientiane airports or at the Friendship Bridge at the Thai Border Crossing and other border crossings (please check with your Lao Embassy). You need a valid passport for no less than six months, 2 x passport size current photographs & USD$30pp cash.
Health issues Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Laos. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday. You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your final trip dossier vouchers will not be confirmed until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry! We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details. |






